Sustainability and Energy Center
Sustainability is built on three interconnected pillars that must be harmonized to create lasting impact: Economic, Social (Equity), and Environmental systems. Achieving balance among these elements ensures a sustainable future that supports economic growth, promotes social well-being, and preserves our planet for generations to come.
Goals of the Sustainability and Energy Center
- Empower Researchers: Provide opportunities for business development and consultancy to help researchers lead in their professions and communities.
- World-Class Programs: Develop and sustain research and consultancy programs of international standards.
- Economic and Social Development: Contribute to national and global progress aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030).
- Strategic Partnerships: Foster collaborations with government and sustainability-focused institutions locally, regionally, and internationally.
Key Focus Areas
- Renewable and sustainable energy systems
- Energy efficiency
- Sustainability in the built environment
- Hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells
- Smart energy grids and analytics
- Micro-grid design and optimization
- Energy management systems
- Power and transportation nexus
- Power and water nexus, including desalination
- Carbon dioxide capture and storage
- Energy policy, regulation, and economics
- Public health impacts of energy technologies
- Energy storage and electric vehicle-grid integration
Projects
The Sustainability and Energy Center is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation, developing solutions that redefine the future of energy and sustainability.
Our work spans groundbreaking projects in sustainable building practices, earthing material research, and converting waste into energy—driving a cleaner, greener, and more resilient tomorrow.
Wind Turbine & Sustainable Dome
Wind Turbine & Sustainable Dome Testing with Ecolibri
Researcher: Dr. Ghalib Kahwaji
External Partner: Ecolibri
RIT Dubai, in collaboration with Ecolibri, has launched the city's first vertical-axis wind turbine at its Sustainability Center. This cutting-edge technology, developed by Ecolibri, captures wind from all directions, making it ideal for urban energy solutions. Generating 10 kW of clean power, the project showcases how industry and academia can work together to advance renewable energy and shape a greener future for Dubai.
Geothermal Cooling
Geothermal Cooling with Graded
Researcher: Dr. Ghalib Kahwaji and Dr. Mohamad Samaha
External Partner: Graded S.p.A
A research collaboration between Graded-Dubai and RIT-Dubai explores the feasibility of using ground-coupled heat exchangers (GCHEs) to improve energy efficiency in A/C and refrigeration systems, particularly in hot and humid climates where traditional cooling towers are less effective.
The project involved soil data analysis, refrigeration system selection, heat exchanger simulation, and system configuration. Soil properties were assessed using data from drilling companies to determine water table levels and soil composition, essential for simulating heat rejection. The study provides valuable insights into the potential of GCHEs for improving cooling efficiency in energy-intensive regions.
Earthing Material Research
Earthing Material Research with Pampa Augusta
Researcher: Dr. Ghalib Kahwaji and Arfan Jawish (RIT Dubai Student)
External Partner: Pampa Augusta
SCM/Pampa Agustina and RIT Dubai are collaborating on a groundbreaking research project to evaluate the electric and thermal performance of the TRITROLLITO compound. The project is divided into two phases:
Phase I: Experimental studies, including earthing probe installation, resistivity and leakage current tests, soil temperature and moisture measurements, and erosion analysis over a 12-month period. Testing will take place in coastal, desert, and mountainous environments to assess performance across different soil conditions.
Phase II: Data analysis, report preparation, and presentation of findings to SCM/Pampa Agustina.
This partnership ensures continuous collaboration throughout the project, leveraging RIT Dubai’s research expertise to deliver valuable insights.
Energy from Waste
Energy from Waste with Waste-To-EN
Researcher: Dr Segey Likharev (from Waste-To-EN) and Arfan Jawish (RIT Dubai Student)
External Partner: Waste-To-EN
Waste-to-En has partnered with RIT Dubai's Sustainability & Energy Center (SEC) to advance cutting-edge waste gasification technology. This innovative process converts waste into clean energy—reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting waste management costs, and producing valuable byproducts like hydrogen and sustainable fuels.
Through this collaboration, SEC provides state-of-the-art research facilities, expertise, and infrastructure, while Waste-to-En leads the development of transformative waste-to-energy solutions. Together, we are shaping a greener, more sustainable world.
Smart Beehive for Harsh Climates
This project introduces a redesigned beehive system developed to improve hive performance in extreme climates like the UAE. The new design features optimized airflow through adjustable vents and enhanced ventilation, helping bees maintain stable internal temperatures. The hive also includes solar-powered, sensor-driven cooling devices that monitor and adjust the microclimate in real time, with options for remote monitoring and control. Compatible with standard Langstroth frames and adaptable to various colony sizes, this energy-efficient and sustainable system supports modern beekeeping in harsh environments. (Patent Pending)
Papers and Publications
Journal Papers
Kahwaji, G.Y., Capuano, D., Boudekji, G., and Samaha, M.A. (2024) “Design and optimization of ground-coupled refrigeration heat exchanger in Dubai: Numerical approach,” Heat Transfer 53, pp. 1474–1500, DOI: 10.1002/htj.23006.
Click here to view the paper
Kahwaji, G.Y., Ali, M.T., and Samaha, M.A. (2021) “Heat transfer advancement from horizontal cylinder using passive shroud–chimney configuration: Experimental and numerical analysis,” Journal of Fluids Engineering, Transactions of the ASME 143, pp. 041204-1–041204-12, DOI: 10.1115/1.4049243.
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Kahwaji, G.Y., and Samaha, M.A. (2019) “Passive Natural Convection Augmentation from Horizontal Cylinder Using a Novel Shroud–Chimney Configuration,” Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer 33, AIAA ARC, pp. 1006–1017, DOI: 10.2514/1.T5686.
Al-Sarrach, H.M.S., Kahwaji, G.Y., and Samaha, M.A. (2017) “Modeling Coupled Conduction–Convection Ice Formation on Horizontal Axially Finned and Unfinned Tubes,” Journal of Fluids Engineering, Transactions of the ASME 139, pp. 121101.1–121101.13, DOI: 10.1115/1.4037279
Conference papers/presentations/Abstracts
Samaha, M.A., Ali, M.T., Kahwaji, G.Y., Boudekji, G., and Capuano, D. (2024) “Design Optimization and Performance Advancement of Ground-Coupled Heat Exchanger,” Sixth International Conference on Computational Methods for Energy and Thermal Problems, THERMAECOMP2024, 09–11 Sep. 2024, Budva, Montenegro, N. Massarotti, P. Nithiarasu, and I. Vuˇsanovi´c (Eds.)
Click here to view the related document
Kahwaji, G.Y., Ali, M.T., Boudekji, G.,Capuano, D., Nasreldin, A.E., Khan, A., and Samaha, M.A. (2022) “Maximizing Performance of Ground-Coupled Heat Exchanger under Hot-Wet Climate Condition: Experimental and Numerical Analysis,” Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Energy Harvesting, Storage, and Transfer (EHST’22), 08–10 June 2022, Niagara Falls, Canada, DOI: 10.11159.ehst22.117.
